21/10/2023 - THE PROOF OF GOD’S LOVE

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But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?  1 John 3.17

God’s love will never be available to evil people, who do not care for the needy or pay attention to the little ones. To help someone without expecting a reward is to despise the Word of the Lord. According to the Scriptures, the Most High promises to return the good that is done to the poor (Proverbs 19.17). Nevertheless, loving those who have nothing should never be done as a business. However, God guarantees that we will be rewarded here and in eternity!

The present times are difficult. Some people use charitable organizations to get rich. Now, it is terrible to take from what has been given to support the poor. God, who sees everything in secret, will reward the helper in the eyes of all: that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly (Matthew 6.4). To give assistance to those in need is to give to the Lord!

In fact, many do not think about the least favored – individuals who have nothing except the hope that God will send someone to improve their lives. We are the divine answer sent to them. No matter what assignment the Lord gives you, He will provide you with the necessary tools:  Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness (2 Corinthians 9.10). Amen?

Many people possess possessions, but never think about sharing them. Why not relieve the suffering of some if we would like someone to do it in our favor if we were in that same condition? We fail to think of the sick who need to hear the good Word, and they are not even visited. When a person goes through affliction, he becomes interested in the Truth. Then, he must be given the proper attention.

If God has given you more, use these resources to prove your love for your Creator. Real help will bring about a multiplication of what has been given. Jesus told of the man who was on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho, was robbed and left badly wounded. A priest on his way passed by, a Levite did the same, but a Samaritan, seeing him, was moved with compassion and helped him (Luke 10.30-35). Isn’t it good to do the same? Do it!

It is wrong to close your heart to the pain of another, or to say that you can do nothing for him. Look at what Jesus said about this: Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6.38). To help the afflicted is to help God Himself, for which there will be an eternal reward (Matthew 25.34-46). Visit the needy!  

Does anyone who refuses to help the needy have the love of God in their being? That is the question at the end of the verse studied. It is necessary to do something for the poor, but let it be a proof of love and not the beginning of a spurious and ill-gotten business. At the judgment seat of Christ, we will give an account of our works, whether bad or good. Hopefully, you will perform only good works, doing them for Jesus!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares